May 2010 Issue 2

The Agricultural Employers’ Association (AEA) and Kenya Plantations and Agriculture Workers’ Union (KPAWU) have finally signed the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This has come after the industrial Court directed AEA and KPAWU to present themselves by their duly authorized representatives to the Chief Industrial Relations Officer, Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development, for negotiations or conciliation in good faith and/or without prejudice to resolve the matter amicably.

KFC Faces ISO/GUIDE 65 Surveillance Audit

The Accreditation Body of The Kenya Flower Council, South African National Accreditation system (SANAS) carried out a surveillance audit on the 26th and 27th May 2010 and duly endorsed KFC accreditation as a certification body. The technical and lead auditor visited a farm and the KFC offices where they checked on the Quality Management System (QMS) and documentation.

9th AGOA Forum

The 9th AGOA Forum will be held in USA, between 2nd and 6th August, 2010. The main focus will be on the new strategies in a challenging world in light of the challenges posed by the global economic crisis and emerging issues like review of the US trade programmes.

It will be held in two venues namely:

1. Washington DC – 2nd-3rd August, 2010

2. Kansas City – 5th– 6th August, 2010

A site visit is also proposed to be part of the programme for the Kansas event.

Kenya –France trade mission 2010

The Kenya –France trade mission 2010 will be held from 21st to 24th September, 2010 in Paris. This is happening after the French Republic president, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy declared 2010 the “Africa Year in France”. The mission will be an exchange point where decision makers from business, government and academia from Kenya and France will convene to explore business opportunities, to discuss future trends, common concerns and find mutual solutions.

It is mainly aimed at facilitating introductions and providing a framework for dialogue between Kenyan and French businesspersons with mutual interests in exploring Kenyan and French markets. The key objective will be to strengthen and expand existing trade and investment relations as well as exploring potential for new business and investment opportunities. It will also contribute to branding and positioning Kenya in the French market through contacts with the community from other regions in France.

Kenyan business persons are largely encouraged to participate in this event. It is envisaged that the organization of the Kenya culture week will be funded by all stakeholders.

34th Dar International trade fair
This may be interesting for associate members. The 34th edition of the Dar-es-Salaam International Trade Fair will take place from June 28th – July 8th 2010 at the Mwalimu J.K.Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds. The theme of this year’s fair is “Building Global Business Partnership”
This is a major trade promotion event in the 2010 Kenya National Export Market Development Programme. The objective of Kenya’s participation is to consolidate Kenya’s market share and presence in the Tanzania as well as concretizing the gains made in past market development activities in Tanzania. Specifically, participants will have opportunities for concluding business deals/orders and negotiating distributorship and agency agreements.